Five Must-Try Walt Disney World Resorts for 2020
For those that haven’t heard, Walt Disney World vacation packages are currently available to book through until the end of 2020. For those patiently waiting to make your vacation plans for next year, now is the time! Whether you are a regular Walt Disney World visitor or planning a first visit, there are a handful of properties that are definitely going to strength to strength into 2020. With that in mind, you may want to think about incorporating them into your travel plans. Let’s take a look five of our favorites:
Disney’s Pop Century
Pop Century has long been a firm favorite in the value category. Adults and children alike love it for its colorful theming, fun central pool area, awesome food court and reliable bus service to and from the theme parks. As we go into 2020 there are even more reasons why you may want to consider this one of your go-to properties! Pop Century will be one of only 2 value resorts that will be on Disney’s new Skyliner route. Once this system is up and running (we estimate in December of 2019) guests will be able to hop on a gondola and be whisked away to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios theme parks. This makes it a pretty hot property for Star Wars fans clamouring to get to Galaxy’s Edge as quickly as possible.
Another reason that Pop Century is a great option is that all of the rooms have been recently remodelled. They now feature hard flooring, updated showers, and offer one queen bed and one queen-sized pull-down bed as opposed to the two doubles that most rooms have. Folding up one of the queen beds during the day means more room for your family to spread out.
Rates for Pop Century start at around $131.00 non-discounted making it a great option for budget-minded travellers that want to be in the heart of it all. However, those travelling in the Winter of 2020 should note that the central area will be closed for updates. The pools in the 90s section and 50’s section of the property will remain open.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Just on the other side of Hourglass Lake from Disney’s Pop Century Resort, this is Disney’s second value resort on the Skyliner gondola system and offers a slightly upgraded experience to that of Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Out of all of Disney World’s onsite properties, Art of Animation is the most heavily themed with distinct areas fashioned after your favorite Disney films including “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Cars” and “Finding Nemo.” The resort offers standard rooms with 2 double beds in the “Little Mermaid” themed section of the resort which retail at around $160 – $180 a night. Or for slightly larger families or those that prefer a bit of room to spread out AOA also offers family suites. These rooms come it at a generous $565 square feet and feature 2 bathrooms, a master suite, living area and kitchenette with a microwave. With prices ranging from $380 – $450 a night non-discounted you are venturing into Deluxe territory but it’s worth it for those wanting space or who aren’t afraid to spend a bit more for theming.
Opening in 2012, Art of Animation is one of Disney’s newest properties and has a lot of great amenities kids of all ages are sure to love. From the Big Blue Pool (which is done in a Finding Nemo theme complete with music piped in underwater) to Landscapes of Flavor which has a reputation for being one of Disney’s best food courts, there’s a lot to love about this Value. Add to that the fact that you’ll be just a short cable car ride away from Hollywood Studios and Epcot and we have ourselves a winner!
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Now, we head over to the Moderates where one of Disney’s most popular resorts in the category is undergoing a bit of renaissance. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort which is popular with conventioners (due to the adjacent convention center) is expanding it’s grounds making it even more accessible for families looking for an imaginative property with awesome amenities. A huge part of the re-imagined Coronado Springs is the impressive Gran Destino Tower which will open in July 2019 and is inspired by Spanish explorers, artists, writers and architects.
When Gran Destino opens later this Summer guests will be able to enjoy incredible views from the comfort of your room. The central amenities at the resort have also been re-imagined and new eateries are being introduced including Three Bridges Bar & Grill which is located on an island in the middle of the resort’s Lago Dorado. There will also be rooftop dining at Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood. The new dining establishment will feature beautiful views of Walt Disney World Resort – including fireworks. In addition, the central pool area with its giant pyramid theme is popular with kids! With so many fantastic changes it’s definitely one of the places to be in 2020! Room rates here start at $180 for traditional rooms or around $325 for those in the new Grand Destino Tower.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Though Caribbean Beach Resort has been one of the most consistently underrated resorts at Walt Disney World, here at MickeyBlog we’ve got a feeling all that is about to change. This resort has just undergone a thorough renovation that includes updates to many of the guest rooms, a boardwalk, al fresco dining and more! It will also be the only Disney Moderate Property to sit on the new Skyliner system that will open later this year! This will make it a breeze for families looking to spend a good bit of time at Epcot or Hollywood Studios!
The giant Spanish Fort -themed central pool area will still be there to the delight of kids who enjoy squirting each other with the water cannons or taking a plunge down the slide. It is also home to the awesome pirate themed guest rooms which include tons of nautical touches including pirate-themed beds. Caribbean Beach Resort has historically been a great resort for discounts and with lower room rates represents awesome value for money. A standard room here will set you back about $225 with Pirate Rooms going up to about $275.
Disney’s Rivera Resort
It’s not often that guests get to stay at a brand-new Disney World resort so don’t miss your chance! The Rivera Resort is the newest Disney Vacation Club property to spring up at Disney World and offers a grandeur inspired by Walt’s European sojourns. The property will offer a wide range of accommodation for all family sizes including studios, 1 bedroom villas, 2 bedroom villas and 3 bedroom villas. Prices range from around $500 a night to up to $2000 a night for the 3 bedrooms. If you’ll be visiting Disney World as a couple, you may want to consider opting for Disney World’s newest room category – a Tower Studio which only sleeps 2 people, is smaller in size to the standard studios and offers 1 queen pull-down bed that converts into a sofa during the day. What it lacks in space it makes up for in value with rates starting at around $350 making it cheap for a deluxe property.
In addition to the varied room options, another highlight of the Riviera is Topolino’s Terrace which is sure to be a go-to eatery for Disney foodies and will offer a menu inspired by the French Riviera! Oh and I almost forgot to mention that the Riviera Resort will be the only deluxe property on the Skyliner Line. This means you can enjoy all of the fantastic amenities that Deluxe Resorts have to offer along with having the theme parks at your doorstep.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this look at what we consider to be some of Disney’s hottest properties going into 2020. With 2020 packages currently available to book, don’t hesitate! Fill out our form below to get your FREE, no-obligation quote from MickeyTravels.
Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to assist you with everything from finding your perfect package to helping you plan lots of special touches to make your visit truly magical. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025 via email at mroden@mickeytravels.com or follow along on Facebook